Fairy-tale trio’s passion and skill set souls alight

The performance of the band Korreltjie Kantel was somewhat of a mystery at first. While many may be familiar with Andre P Brink and Ingrid Jonker, not many know of their intimate affair, detailed in the book Vlam in die Sneeu, edited by Francis Galloway.

The particulars of this affair, the passion, emotion and innate understanding between these soulmates, makes for the stuff of fairy tales, and that is what Korreltjie Kantel is: an old-fashioned fairy tale – albeit with a modern twist. Korreltjie Kantel comprises Luna Paige, Nick Turner and Jaime Jupiter. Turner, ex-Sons of Trout, had a decidedly quirky and upbeat side to him in the opening song. Jaime Jupiter seemed to be proficient on every musical instrument known to man, and then some. The haunting strains of the harmonica, when beautifully played, are always a winner.

Paige’s voice was a revelation. Dipping and soaring with passion and an aching poignancy, she retold this tale of lovers and their conversations with intimacy and beauty, in song. The harmonies between the voices, Jupiter’s deep bass accentuating Paige’s soaring notes and Turner’s velvety warm tones, were so expertly controlled, they coincided perfectly, matching each other with precision and skill. They invited one in, then entertained, in turns making one feel happy and mournful.

The trio also treated the audience to an impromptu jam session of different material, further indicating its incredible talent and polished performance. Korreltjie Kantel certainly brought a tragic love affair to life in glorious shades of colour.

One cannot help but wonder if perhaps these two lovers should not have thrown caution to the wind to be together. Instead, sadly, their fire turned to ice, ice so evocative of the freezing waters of Three Anchor Bay in the wintry Atlantic that swallowed Jonker as she waded ever deeper in, never looking back.